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STAY WELL & SPARKLE: Saint Jean must go, Laplainers demand

Dominica News Online - Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 9:00 AM

The people of Laplaine are as mad as hell – and they’re not going to take it any more! The alleged detention and beating of 3 men by Education Minister Petter St. Jean is rocking the region. Not to mention the men were clearly innocent – at least, that’s what police seem to think. Citizens of conscience from across the political spectrum – Red, Blue, Green – have come together to say, this is it! This kind of vindictive one-man rule has to stop. Frankly, I still cannot believe it. Like Doubting Thomas, I had to go on location to hear for myself and feel the scars from their injuries.

Examining Mr. Jno. Baptiste’s injuries

Trust me, I’d rather be writing about colic, cadencelypso or the joys of creole cuisine. But for characters involved – it is their sworn duty to serve and protect the common man. On the surface, the events of Saturday, September 24th, 2016 sound like some petty rural altercation. It may yet represent just tip of the iceberg of how badly law and order has deteriorated on the Nature Isle. Most shocking though, police officers present appear complicit with the alleged abuse.

As has become the norm in Dominica, these poor victims have been pitilessly abandoned by the criminal justice system. Well, except one, no longer talking. He reportedly recently made huge deposits in a bank and credit union. Indeed, it is now standard operating procedure for filthy lucre to cover a multitude of sins in this paradise. Nevertheless, readers will come to their own conclusions as they listen to Sylvanus “Sylo” Jno Baptiste’s unscripted and spontaneous account. https://soundcloud.com/dr-sam-christian/sylo-interview-with-jason-fontaine-with-comments Even though he tries to drown his sorrows, you can still feel the pain of this terribly traumatized citizen. The interviewer is community activist Jason Fontaine. He admits being intimately involved with Labour Party importing planeloads of voters this past election. But the stench of the corruption, contempt and cover-up has just become too much. He is now at the forefront of seeking justice for the victims.

Laplaine’s Jason Fontaine

I am no legal expert, but the facts of the case seem fairly well established. Everyone understands that any farmer would get angry upon discovering dasheen was harvested from his property without his consent. Be angry, but sin not. All now agree that this resulted from a totally unintended mistake by someone unfamiliar with the boundaries. Acting on instructions an adjacent farmer, a stranger supposedly took provision from the wrong location. These things happen all the time. The disputed produce was subsequently recovered from another source. Under normal circumstances, we would be man enough to apologize for our wrong accusations, shake hands and move on. After all, we are not uncouth people. However in this case, vigilante justice had already been meted out so viciously it that brought grown men to tears.

The Honourable Minister resorted to Facebook to present his version of events https://www.facebook.com/votepettersaintjean/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

However, he has to do better than simply attributing the scandal to his noble campaign against praedial larceny. He has to do better than dismissing this as simply the machinations of jealous political opponents. Indeed, troubling questions persist:

Were the victims in fact locked in the Honourable Minister’s basement or, as the Honourable Minister contends, just given a ride?

Was one of the victims wearing a cast on his left arm and therefore could not even defend himself?

Did the Honourable Minister and his son actually use whips and a piece of plywood to inflict the injuries?

Is there any bodily evidence of the injuries inflicted?

Upon being summoned, did the police provide handcuffs to the Honourable Minister or did they handcuff the victims themselves to be further brutalized?

Did Corporal Deschamps, the officer in charge of the crime scene, exclaim, “Do not do that!” about the ongoing beatings.

Did Mrs. Rose Blaize, Village Council chairperson and local Labour party secretary, incite the Honourable Minister’s actions?

Did the Local Government Commissioner shut down the dysfunctional Laplaine village council for the past 7 months? If so, does Mrs. Blaize continue to be paid to disburse relief aid to favoured villagers from Council and Labour Party facilities?

Did members of the Honourable Minister’s church further incite him to smite the victims (“Footay yo! Footay yo!”)?

Did the Honourable Minister’s pastor Rev. Lawrence Degalrie and/or his wife, try to intercede on behalf of victims but were brushed aside?

Did the police then arrest the 3 suspects, take them to the local station and immediately release them?

Did the medical doctor examining the victims receive a mysterious call whereupon he terminated his medical examination?

Did the Honourable Minister’s son suddenly fly out of the island the following Monday, September 26th? Was that trip scheduled before or after the alleged incident?

I wish to God these allegations were not true. Seriously. I would be too embarrassed for my native land. Is it relevant that Scribe of the East, Dr. Emanuel Finn, has chronicled a long history of savage outbursts to the Honourable Petter St. Jean?
http://thedominican.net/2011/01/minister-threathens-villager.html. Others claim he often threatens to “shoot somebody” and “if is war allu want, I will give you war!”

If so, is there any other Parl Rep in living memory that has exhibited such a chronic pattern of hostile behavior? Does this self-proclaimed ‘man of God’ really have the temperament to nurture our students to grow into peace-loving, law-abiding citizens?

In any civilized society, no one person is authorized to be judge, jury and executioner. In any mature democracy, such a tainted minister would be immediately suspended from Cabinet pending investigation. In any civilized jurisdiction, he most likely would also ejected from the Honourable House. But like the ‘monkey see/monkey do’ dictatorships we now emulate, much that is wrong passes for right in Dominica. There is widespread belief that law applies for everybody except those in power. Our docile citizenry is blighted with malaise. Collectively, we seem to have an appetite for vagabond behavior at the highest levels. A sickening ‘sa pou feh’ attitude prevails.

Mr. Jno. Baptiste shows no fear for the struggle ahead

Genesis tells the tragic tale of Esau losing his birthright for a pot of stew. How sad would it be for a since-promoted deputy prime minister to lose his post over a bag of dasheen! Dominicans at home and abroad are increasingly convinced a shameful crime was likely committed. Corporal Deschamps is a good man. He is well advised to clear himself. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force must now either it presses charges against the assaulted or announce an investigation into the actions of the batterers. ‘Neither’ is not an option. You cannot put this Humpty together again.

Let me tell you something: Laplaine has a proud history of standing up to oppressive authorities http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/the-la-paine-uprising/ . No way will they allow this to happen again. Villagers demand nothing less than the immediate removal the council chairperson and recall of the mohdi minister. If this vile stain on Dominican jurisprudence is to be wiped clean, history may well once again record that it started with the people of Laplaine.

Stay tuned!

Dr. Sam Christian a surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on Bath Road near the Stadium. He is a syndicated columnist focusing on health and development related issues. Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133 or logging on to urgentcareda.weebly.com

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34 Comments

I would like to know what percentage of the la plaine population share this opinion; if it’s the majority or minority; because as far as I know the majority is fed up with Jason and his attention seeking ventures.

No one should be above the law regardless of status. If these crimes were committed by someone else in the village, the outcome would be different. The police must reveal if this incident is under investigation and provide the community with an update on the status of the investigation.

Politicians don’t get arrested or charged in Dominica…When the other fella was involved with that child .. I forget his name (no i didnt) his lawyer was at headquarters before him.
PS what happened to that case…

IT’S HIGH TIME TO REALIZE THAT THE GOVT. IS IN FINAL PHASE OF CANCER.WOLVES IN SHEEP CLOTHING FREEDOMPARTY PARADING AS LABOUR PARTY BECAUSE THE MAJORITY ARE POOR AND SUPPORT THE LABOUR PARTY. CURUPTION IS ALLWAYS PRESENT.WHEN THEY NOT IN POWER THEY SEE ALL THE FAULTS OF THE GOVT: be careful Dominicans that D/CA does not suffer the same jugement as HAITI because the 13000 Hatians in D/CA are being used for voodoo favours GODis not mocked saw sèmer saw ka recolter: D/CA needs help itself we have enough, if they had used sympathy to save Christ from the cross we would not be here, are we really praying to the true GOD or to fallen angels? BOUDHA answers prayers, Harry krishner, hindu,voodoo but to whom are theese prayers adressed?seek first the kingdom of GOD THE TRUE and all things will be added unto you ,1st.chron 7v14:

I am not saying that the above may not have been committed. I am however concerned that there is not a mention of any witnesses in the matter also has this man been charged that some of us are no longer accusing him of this or has he already been convicted? You see if ever a case was to be called it would likely be thrown out of court for the simple reason if the accusers lawyer can show he or she will not get a fair trial because they have already been convicted by the public the case will not be heard. So when commenting on things that we have some of the fact for be careful what you say. If he was beaten at the accusers home did he leave the premises need medical assistance etc? Only asking

Dominica is in a slavery mode black on black violence never in the history of our nation people are just disappearing and diying in such large numbers I am 60 year old. we all will remember ian Doglase saying that Development brings crimes. that view to me is dumb.

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 214Your Sins Will Find You OutOctober 24, 2016

Petter has been getting away with a lots things in this Laplaine you seeing there. The majority of people living in Laplaine DID NOT vote for St. Jean. Instead saying mweh chapay, is now he really doing as he please. When I was small they used to call that wrong and strong.

This time he go too far. Now we’ll find out if Laplaine people are a joke or not.

The said minister must be fired immediately and arrested for his crimes?. The people of Lapllaine must demand total transfer of all the officers involved and the Doctor who failed to care for the brutalized ones he ran out of laplaine. This maddening and Dominicans should demand answers. Where is the opposition? Why haven’t we been summoned to laplaine and occupy the streets , the minister’s house and police station until we are heard? “Poor lives matter too”. I am ready to stand my ground in Laplaine.

you dont seem to really b ready to stand your ground like u said. u sound like u are ready to add your own violent and irresponsible behaviour to that of the people u are angry at. dont u realise two wrongs cannot bring about a right?

Truth, it’s ironic that the apartheid South African government used the same language, “violent and irresponsible behaviour”, to describe the people protesting to reclaim their rights. Language is a funny thing, isn’t it?

Like or Dislike: 00Lang MamaOctober 25, 2016

Why the people need the opposition to take to the streets in La Plain.

I am sorry but its hard to see past a con man. Peter is wrong if he did what they said but Fontaine step aside let somebody else champion this cause. You have hurt so many people to the core you cant be trusted, you may con these people who peter may have hurt. Sorry but that’s the way it is. I know what it feels like when you take your last dollar under your pillow and give it up hoping to make five dollars just to find your last dollar is gone. Reformed means stepping away too!

fontain is right , we are liable to make mistakes ,but on realising that ,we should stop ,and accept our wrong ,and ask for forviveness as fontain did, This GOD loves, We are no perfect beings ,So i applaud fontain for his braveness, and honesty , compare fontain to paul in the bible, he tought he was doing well ,but GOD stopped him on the way to damascus ,and he repented, fontain ., GOd forgive you the same, because you didn;t stay in your mess ,continue fighting for your people, and dont give up until justice is served,

Superb commentary of the sickening incident in La Plaine. This is very personal to me.
I have to observe some thing here. While this unfortunate alleged incidence was still fresh in the minds of the country- Mr. Skerrit left for Haiti to attend to the ravages of the hurricane with a Caribbean delegation. Guess who he picked as Acting PM? You guessed it- Petter St. Jean. By so doing was he sending a powerful signal to the police not to mess with St.Jean? Or was he telling people like you, me and others that St. Jean is solid and he cannot be touched?

Either way this is bad and if this is not addressed St. Jean will still walk and talk like that he is in charge of everything , person or place east of Pond Case- then look out- a Ton-ton Macoute style of situation is developing in the country side. Today it is poor folks in La Plaine, tomorrow it is St. Joe and other places—— This must be stopped before it is too late.

When people take the law into their hands because they are in politics, and are called honorable, and the police refuse to take action against them; the victims should take actions themselves, and file civil law suits against the perpetrators of such wrong.

I see an honest victim of a crime perpetrated on him by a man who is nothing less than a common criminal; if the police refuse to arrest and prosecute Petter, and his son for their crime against that man, some lawyer in Dominica should have pity on this man and take his case pro bono!

We know that a lawyers time is his money; so this might be the appropriate time to ask for a public contribution of money to pay a lawyer to defend this man, assuming that no one is willing to help him pro bono. For those who do not understand “pro bono” it simply means for the public good.

Lawyers being involve in doing legal work donated to people who are powerless to help themselves because they lack the economic means to retain a lawyer…

Lawyers being involve in doing legal work donated to people who are powerless to help themselves because they lack the economic means to retain a lawyer. This is no laughing matter!

What if they killed the man while beating him, that would be murder, would Skerrit still have Petter playing minister of Education? Petter should be immediately fired, and made to stand trial for his crime!

I live in Canada. Although I have not yet visited Dominica this has greatly grieved me. Some people wonder why I should care what happens on the nature island.

As an international evangelist I have visited various nations and do care what is happening abroad. I have conducted evangelistic crusades on a number of Caribbean islands preaching in some of their biggest churches and also in large open air crusades to capacity crowds.

Many of my friends and church people in Canada visit Dominica. Some take children with them.
I am concerned for them. It is as if I myself was on the island. To attack and rough somebody up without a trial and conviction is nothing short of violence. Nobody – not even the highest authorities – are allowed to do this in my country.

Rose Blaize if you are the woman from Castle Bruce married in Laplaine ,I am ashamed ogf you. Remember this is the same “Pepper”. I heard about that incident from a relative of yours and didnot believe it at the time. But the longest rope has an end, Jah don’t lijke ugly especially when persons using his name as cover for the actions they do. Go ahead Dominica.

Thank you for the response, however this deserves further analysis which we will do for you because the person who advised you to respond to these quite serious allegations should have been kind enough to help you craft the communication.

1. First of all you should be brave enough to address the public in a meeting by Willie’s junction and not on social media. Most of the people from your community do not have computers. They need to hear directly from you. They are the ones who live with your wrath daily. It is not all about those who fly in on election day to impose your rule on the community and fly back to their lives overseas.

2. Your indicated that 3 suspects were intercepted by your son and you! “Intercepted”? Please explain that terminology. Who gives you the right to “intercept” any one? Does that mean that you could “intercept” anyone else because you think about it? Could you have intercepted me…

Are you serious; or are you just simple dumb? Do you know the meaning of the word analysis? I suspect you have no idea, so let be show you a few definitions of the word then decide if there is anything about this crime to analyze.

Analysis is defined as the separation of a whole into its component parts; or the identification or separation of ingredients of a substance.

It is also defined as a statement of the constituents of a mixture. More so, it is defined as proof of a mathematical proposition by assuming the result, and deducing a valid statement by a series of reversible steps. People like you with no name like to pipe hot air dumb like fart. Here you are witnessing the victim of the crime being examined by a medical doctor in the person of Sam Christian, yet you are so blind, and full of fart; you are talking about we will do: who the hell are you or we?

Yes but you have to immediately turn the person over to the police. Not daymoutay them with blows and then try to buy their silence when you realize you were wrong. Wake up Laplane, wake up. Poor people have rights too.

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